Much Ado for the Ombudsman in Sombor

Аnikо Мuškinjа Heinrich, the Provincial Ombudswoman, the Children's Rights Deputy Ombudswoman Маriјa Kоrdić and Žеlјka Bundаlо, her Expert Associate, were in Sombor yesterday, where they talked to the citizens and filed their complaints personally.

Twenty citizens addressed them; five of them got legal advice, while the rest of them filed complaints with the Provincial Protector of Citizens - ombudsman (PPCO) institution upon which official proceedings will be initiated. The complaints relate to the work of the inspection authorities of the Town of Sombor, the town's tax administration, the welfare center and the local branch of the National Pension and Disability Fund, mostly due to the length of their proceedings, losing the right to a pension on disability grounds and problems over acknowledgement of years of service with special benefits regime. Several complaints relate to labor and employment issues, such as non-payment of the jubilee award to employees, not letting employees exercise their right to an annual leave, etc.

Later on, Аnikо Мuškinjа Heinrich and her colleagues visited the local welfare center and talked about the issues in its work, policies and legislation in the field of welfare, the safe house, options for the needy to get a residence registration with the welfare center, as well as other relevant operational issues.

The field trip to Sombor was also a chance to visit the Miroslav Аntić – Мikа Children's and Youth Home housing 36 children, most of them cognitively challenged. The Manager of the Home introduced the Ombudswoman with the problems the institution is facing and showed her around the recently refurbished Home, which has thereafter become an adequate and comfortable place for children.